Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerFausto Carmona got in some long toss with Indians reliever Rafael Perez during Sunday's individual workouts at the Indians' spring training facility in Goodyear, Ariz. All pitchers and catchers were due to report on Sunday, but most had been at the complex for several days.GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Russell Branyan's anticipated arrival not only conjures thoughts of home runs and strikeouts, but of intrigue. If Branyan passes his physical Tuesday and becomes a member of the Indians, where is he going to play and who is going to lose at-bats or get bumped about because of it?

Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley could be in line for a bump or two if Branyan's back and other body parts get the all-clear from Indians team doctors.

"Let's wait until everything becomes official," said new manager Manny Acta, Sunday afternoon on the first day of spring training. "Then I'll answer all the questions."

Branyan played first base for Seattle last season when he hit a career-high 31 homers despite back pain. LaPorta was in line to play first this year even after undergoing surgery on his left hip and left big toe during the off-season. Now Branyan is a factor, which could make LaPorta a platoon player or move him to left field.

LaPorta played 29 games in left, 10 at first and 10 in right last season. If LaPorta moves to left, Brantley might be headed back to Class AAA Columbus so he can play regularly.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerManny Acta said he would wait to reveal the Indians' plans for left-handed slugger Russell Branyan until the free agent passes a team physical on Tuesday. It's still unknown if LaPorta will be able to start the Cactus League season or the regular season on time because of his two surgeries.

"We still have to wait to see how he reacts to the everyday work we put in before we start playing games," said Acta.

LaPorta has been running, catching grounders and fly balls and swinging the bat in Goodyear.

Branyan can play right field and third base as well. He last played third in 2008. Could he be a platoon partner with Jhonny Peralta if it doesn't stress his back?

Pitchers and catchers were scheduled to report Sunday. A couple did, but most of the 29 pitchers and six catchers have been here for a while.

"I'm excited," said Acta. "The fact that I showed up here a week early and I could see Travis Hafner, Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Asdrubal Cabrera on the field a week before pitchers and catchers are supposed to be on the field ... that excites me."

Acta has been ready for camp to start since Christmas and New Year's came and went.

"This is a great time for every one of us," he said. "For the coaching staff and the players. Spring training is just a beautiful time. Everybody is zero and zero and looking forward to it."

Here are some other subjects Acta addressed:

• Luis Valbuena: "He comes into camp as our second baseman. ... We're aware of his problems against left-handed pitchers. But we're going to give him a chance to show us what he's learned over the winter. We're not in the business of developing platoon players at 23 years old."

• Fausto Carmona and Rafael Perez: "We're very encouraged by the way they threw the ball in winter ball. ... We're looking forward to them bouncing back."

• Untested catchers Lou Marson and Wyatt Toregas. "It doesn't worry me. We need to find out about these guys. I think [first-base coach] Sandy Alomar and [pitching coach] Tim Belcher will be huge with our catchers and pitchers."

No comment: The Indians wouldn't say if Dominican shortstop Edward Salcedo is the one who got away or the one they wanted to get away. In fact, they didn't say much of anything when asked Sunday to comment on the Atlanta Braves reportedly being close to signing Salcedo.

Said John Mirabelli, the team's director of scouting operations, "As our policy, the Cleveland Indians do not comment on players who are not part of our organization whether it is a major-league free agent or amateur at any level. There is not reason for us to comment on who we may or may not have interest in."

Salcedo used to work out regularly at the Indians' baseball academy in the Dominican. In 2007, a Dominican newspaper reported that the Indians signed him for $2.3 million. The Indians denied the deal and reports that Salcedo lied about his age followed.

The Associated Press over the weekend reported that deal with the Indians was nullified when the United States government questioned whether Salcedo was born in 1989. The AP says Atlanta asked MLB to investigate Salcedo's age. MLB determined he was born in 1991.

Finally: Acta will wear No. 11 as Indians manager. He wore No. 14 with the Nationals, but 14 has been retired by the Indians to honor Hall of Famer Larry Doby.

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